Single vineyard refers to wine made entirely from a specific vineyard site, emphasizing terroir expression and vineyard characteristics. Single-vineyard bottlings allow consumers to taste how identical grape varieties and winemaking differ based on specific terroir. Single-vineyard wines typically command premium prices over blended wines. Some regions (Burgundy particularly) emphasize single-vineyard bottlings; others blend across sites. Understanding single-vineyard bottlings helps appreciate terroir variation.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Single-vineyard wines emphasize terroir expression. Comparing single-vineyard bottlings from different sites reveals how location affects wine character.
Tasting cues
- Fruit from one named site — aims at terroir specificity over regional blend smoothness.
- Can be more vintage-sensitive than multi-site cuvées.
- Quality still depends on farming and winemaking, not the words alone.
Examples
- Burgundy climat bottlings, German Einzellage, New World vineyard-designates.
- Some “single vineyard” wines still include small percentages from elsewhere — read the fine print when it matters.
Cellar actions
- Collect single-vineyard wines when you want to learn a site across vintages (verticals).
- Buy fewer sites deeper rather than one bottle of everything.
Related terms
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